Bridge Division pushes smart tolling and greener infrastructure
ETC Tops Priority in Cashless Toll Drive
- Electronic Toll Collection implementation accelerated
- Cashless toll roadmap reviewed
- Tree plantation and project progress emphasized
The Bridge Division has reaffirmed its commitment to implementing Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) as the top priority in transforming Bangladesh's road transport network into a fully cashless, automated, and technology-driven system. Progress on the Unified National ETC Framework (UNEF) and other smart transport initiatives was reviewed during an inspection of key bridge projects.
Bridge Division Secretary and Executive Director of the Bangladesh Bridge Authority, Mohammad Abdur Rouf, visited the Padma Bridge Site Office and the bridge construction project over the Payra River on the Kachua–Betagi road. Senior officials, project directors, consultants, and contractor representatives attended the inspection.
During the visit, the secretary stressed the need to accelerate ETC deployment across bridges, elevated expressways, and tunnels to improve traffic flow, enhance transparency in toll collection, and strengthen digital transport infrastructure.
Highlighting modernization efforts, he said the toll management system must become more efficient, transparent, and citizen-friendly through universal ETC adoption. Necessary technical upgrades should be implemented promptly to reduce user inconvenience and improve operational efficiency.
The visit also included a tree plantation programme under the government's nationwide greening initiative. Officials said 1,000 trees are being planted this year under the Payra Bridge project, with a total target of 2,000 trees. At the Padma Bridge project, 7,622 trees have already been planted against the 2026 target of 15,000.
A project review meeting later discussed implementation progress, contractor issues, and measures required to complete the projects within the stipulated timeline. The secretary directed all stakeholders to strengthen coordination and ensure timely execution.
The Bridge Division said it remains committed to implementing the Unified National ETC Framework (UNEF) alongside other citizen-focused digital initiatives to build a smarter, cashless, environmentally sustainable, and technology-enabled national transport system.
//DBTech/ND/EK//
